Domestic Violence

Malavika Karlekar The ever-present fact of violence, both over and covert physical and non-physical has an overwhelming influence on feminine identity formation. Using the life cycle approach this article argues that at every stage there is discrimination and violence, particularly against girl children and later women within the household, either natal or conjugal With age, problems are compounded with increased dependency, illness and fatigue. Despite the ubiquity of violence against women, both within the home and in public spaces, the celebration of individual experiences has led to the emergence of alternative discourses where the 'truth" and validity of established structures, norms and roles are called into question.